How do rat testicles look? - briefly
The male rodent’s testes are paired, ovoid organs situated in the scrotum, each about 5‑8 mm long and exhibiting a smooth, pale‑gray to pinkish surface. They are encased by a thin, translucent tunica albuginea and connect to the epididymis via a short vas deferens.
How do rat testicles look? - in detail
Rat testes are paired, oval organs situated within the scrotum, posterior to the penis. Each gland measures approximately 6–10 mm in length, 4–6 mm in width, and 3–5 mm in height, depending on age and strain. The external surface appears smooth, covered by a thin, translucent serous membrane (tunica vaginalis) that adheres closely to the scrotal skin.
The external coloration ranges from pale pink to light brown, reflecting the underlying vascular network. Visible veins form a fine, reticular pattern across the surface. The testes are suspended by the spermatic cord, which contains the vas deferens, arterial supply, lymphatics, and nerves.
Internal architecture consists of:
- Seminiferous tubules – tightly coiled, densely packed tubules occupying roughly 80 % of testicular volume; walls are composed of a basal lamina, Sertoli cells, and germinal epithelium.
- Interstitial tissue – Leydig cell clusters situated between tubules; cells are polygonal, eosinophilic, and responsible for androgen production.
- Tunica albuginea – a white, fibrous capsule encasing the organ, providing structural support.
The epididymis, attached to the posterior pole, appears as a convoluted, white‑gray tube approximately 30 mm long. Its head is tightly coiled, the body elongated, and the tail tapers toward the vas deferens.
Morphological variations may occur:
- Juvenile rats possess smaller, lighter testes with less developed tubules.
- Adult males show increased size, darker coloration, and more pronounced vascularization.
- Pathological conditions (e.g., atrophy, tumors) alter size, consistency, and color, often accompanied by fibrosis or necrosis.
Overall, rat testes present a compact, oval shape, smooth serosal covering, pale to brown hue, and a distinct internal organization of seminiferous tubules, interstitial Leydig cells, and a protective fibrous capsule.